The Power of Self-Discipline

Do you ever wonder or ask yourself, what is the one trait that you must possess in order to be successful in every important area of your life? And most importantly, in order to live a happy and fulfilling life you desire and deserve? I have done some introspection and found that my top principle for success is Self-Discipline.

One of my favourite American authors, Brian Tracey, attended a conference in Washington D.C, some time ago. During the lunch break, he was eating at a nearby Food Fair. The area was crowded, so he took the last remaining table for himself, even though it was a table for four.

A few minutes later, an older gentleman and a younger woman who appeared to be his personal assistant came along, carrying trays of food and were obviously looking for a place to sit. Having lots of room at his table, Brian immediately arose and invited the older gentleman and young lady to join him. The older gentleman was hesitant at first, but Brian insisted. Finally, they sat down with him, quite thankfully, and they began to chat over lunch.

It turned out the older gentleman’s name was Kop Kopmeyer. As it happened, Brian immediately knew who he was. Kop was a legend in the field of success and achievement. He had written four books at the time, each of which contained 250 success principles that he had derived from more than fifty years of research and study. At that time, Brian Tracey had read all four of his books from cover to cover, each more than once.

After they had chatted for a while, Brian Tracey asked him a question that many people in that situation would ask.  He said, “Of all the 1, 000 success principles that you have discovered, which one do you think is the most important?”

Kop Kopmeyer smiled at him with a twinkle in his eye, as if he had been asked that question many times, and he replied without hesitation. “The most important success principle of all was stated by Elbert Hubbard, one of the most prolific writers in American history, at the beginning of the twentieth century. He said, “Self-discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”  He went on to say, “There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work. With self-discipline, they all work!

Brian Tracey narrates this story in the introduction of his book titled No Excuses: The Power of Self-Discipline – 21 ways to achieve long lasting happiness and success. It is well structured, well-crafted and comprehensive book. By just looking at the table of contents you know you are in for a good treat. It is divided into only three parts: Part one is titled, Self-discipline and personal success, Part two: Self-discipline in business, sales, and finances. Part three, self-discipline and the good life.

Even Dr. Scott Peck, in his excellent book titled The Road Less Travelled; says discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life’s problems. Without discipline, we can solve nothing. With only some discipline we can solve only some problems. With total discipline, we can solve all problems.

Therefore, self-discipline is the key to personal greatness and mastery. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for me and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing or background, education, and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.